U.S. patent application number 11/907568 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-22 for network apparatus, data provision location providing method, and recording medium.
Invention is credited to Xiaojun Du, Yukinari Hirose, Mitsuo Nakamura, Shinichiro Ozeki, Osamu Suzuki, Akira Yokoyama, Atsushi Yokoyama.
Application Number | 20080120394 11/907568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39334674 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080120394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yokoyama; Akira ; et
al. |
May 22, 2008 |
Network apparatus, data provision location providing method, and
recording medium
Abstract
A network apparatus providing data-related information outside
the network apparatus in accordance with a format of structured
description, the data-related information being related to data to
be provided, is disclosed that includes an external data storage
location management part configured to manage the data storage
location of the data-related information of an external network
apparatus and a data storage location provision part configured to
provide, outside the network apparatus, the data storage location
of the data-related information of the network apparatus and the
data storage location of the data-related information of the
external network apparatus.
Inventors: |
Yokoyama; Akira; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Suzuki; Osamu; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Nakamura; Mitsuo; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Du; Xiaojun;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Ozeki; Shinichiro; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Hirose; Yukinari; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Yokoyama; Atsushi; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 8910
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Family ID: |
39334674 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907568 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 ;
370/216; 709/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 41/22 20130101;
H04L 41/0859 20130101; H04L 41/0833 20130101; H04L 67/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/217 ;
370/216; 709/223 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16; G06F 15/173 20060101 G06F015/173; H04J 1/16 20060101
H04J001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 16, 2006 |
JP |
2006-281739 |
Claims
1. A network apparatus providing data-related information outside
the network apparatus in accordance with a format of structured
description, the data-related information being related to data to
be provided, the network apparatus comprising: an external data
storage location management part configured to manage a data
storage location of data-related information of an external network
apparatus; and a data storage location provision part configured to
provide, outside the network apparatus, a data storage location of
the data-related information of the network apparatus and the data
storage location of the data-related information of the external
network apparatus.
2. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an information provision part configured to provide the
data-related information of the network apparatus to a requester of
the data-related information in response to a request from the
requester specifying the data storage location of the data-related
information of the network apparatus.
3. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a Web server part configured to provide a Web page outside the
network apparatus, wherein the data storage location provision part
is configured to embed the data storage location of the
data-related information of each of the network apparatus and the
external network apparatus in the Web page using the Web server
part.
4. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a file provision part configured to write a list of the data
storage locations of the data-related information of the network
apparatus and the external network apparatus in a file and to
provide the file outside the network apparatus.
5. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
a Web server part configured to provide a Web page outside the
network apparatus, wherein the file provision part is configured to
embed the file in the Web page using the Web server part and to
provide the file outside the network apparatus.
6. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an external data storage location obtaining part configured to
obtain the data storage location of the data-related information of
the external network apparatus from the external network
apparatus.
7. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
external data storage location obtaining part is configured to
cause a user to register a location where the data storage location
of the data-related information of the external network apparatus
is obtained.
8. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
external data storage location management part is configured to
remove the data storage location of the data-related information in
response to the data storage location being redundant.
9. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an information obtaining part configured to obtain the data-related
information of the external network apparatus from the external
network apparatus; and an information storage part configured to
store the obtained data-related information, wherein the data
storage location provision part is configured to provide, outside
the network apparatus, a data storage location of the data-related
information stored in the information storage part as the data
storage location of the data-related information of the external
network apparatus.
10. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the
information storage part is configured to store the data-related
information as obtained as a unit, and the data storage location
provision part is configured to provide, outside the network
apparatus, the data storage location of the data-related
information as the data storage location of the data-related
information of the external network apparatus in the unit of the
data-related information stored in the information storage
part.
11. The network apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the
information storage part is configured to merge the obtained
data-related information and the data-related information of the
network apparatus and to store the merged data-related information
as a single item at a time of storing the obtained data-related
information, and the data storage location provision part is
configured to provide, outside the network apparatus, the data
storage locations of the data-related information in a unit of the
data-related information stored in the information storage
part.
12. A data provision location providing method of a network
apparatus providing data-related information outside the network
apparatus in accordance with a format of structured description,
the data-related information being related to data to be provided,
the data provision location providing method comprising the steps
of: reading a data storage location of data-related information of
an external network apparatus from an external data storage
location management part of the network apparatus managing said
data storage location; and providing, outside the network
apparatus, a data storage location of the data-related information
of the network apparatus and the data storage location of the
data-related information of the external network apparatus.
13. The data provision location providing method as claimed in
claim 12, further comprising the step of: providing the
data-related information of the network apparatus to a requester of
the data-related information in response to a request from the
requestor specifying the data storage location of the data-related
information of the network apparatus.
14. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a
program for causing a computer having a processor, a storage unit,
and a communications unit to execute processing according to a data
provision location providing method of a network apparatus
providing data-related information outside the network apparatus in
accordance with a format of structured description, the
data-related information being related to data to be provided, the
program causing the computer to execute the steps of: causing the
processor to read a data storage location of data-related
information of an external network apparatus from an external data
storage location management part of the network apparatus managing
said data storage location; and providing, outside the network
apparatus, a data storage location of the data-related information
of the network apparatus and the data storage location of the
data-related information of the external network apparatus, using
the communications unit.
15. The computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 14,
wherein the program further causes the computer to execute the step
of: providing the data-related information of the network apparatus
to a requester of the data-related information in response to a
request from the requester specifying the data storage location of
the data-related information of the network apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to network
apparatuses, data provision location providing methods, and
recording media, and more particularly to a network apparatus that
provides information related to data to be provided outside the
apparatus in accordance with a format of writing in a structured
manner, a data provision location providing method of the network
apparatus, and a recording medium storing a program for causing a
computer to execute the data provision location providing method of
the network apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In these years, RSS (Rich Site Summary) has been used as a
method of publishing Web-site update information. RSS is an XML
(Extensible Markup Language)-based format that writes metadata such
as Web-site headers and summaries in a structured manner.
[0005] The update information written in RSS may include the title
of each page, address, headers, summary, and update time of a Web
site. By using the RSS-written update information, a receiver of
the update information can recognize the update information of
multiple Web sites with efficiency with a unified method.
[0006] Further, some conventional multi-function machines have the
function of providing apparatus management information such as
communications history in RSS. For example, Japanese Laid-Open
Patent Application No. 2006-54732 discloses a case where an RSS
reader operating on a computer serving as a client performs
centralized management of the apparatus management information of
multiple multi-function machines by periodically polling the RSS
feeds of the multi-function machines.
[0007] The RSS feed refers to a URL that provides an RSS source.
The RSS source refers to information according to RSS format.
[0008] According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.
2006-54732, however, it is necessary for a user to enter the RSS
feeds of the multi-function machines in the RSS reader.
Accordingly, there is a problem in that the user is required to
look for the URLs of the RSS feeds provided by each multi-function
machine, which is extremely troublesome if there are a large number
of multi-function machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
are provided a network apparatus in which the above-described
problem may be solved or reduced, a data provision location
providing method of the network apparatus, and a recording medium
storing a program for causing a computer to execute the data
provision location providing method of the network apparatus.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
are provided a network apparatus capable of accurately and easily
providing the data storage location of information related to data
provided by the network apparatus and other network apparatuses, a
data provision location providing method of the network apparatus,
and a recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to
execute the data provision location providing method of the network
apparatus.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a network apparatus providing data-related information
outside the network apparatus in accordance with a format of
structured description, the data-related information being related
to data to be provided, the network apparatus including an external
data storage location management part configured to manage a data
storage location of data-related information of an external network
apparatus; and a data storage location provision part configured to
provide, outside the network apparatus, a data storage location of
the data-related information of the network apparatus and the data
storage location of the data-related information of the external
network apparatus.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a data provision location providing method of a network
apparatus providing data-related information outside the network
apparatus in accordance with a format of structured description,
the data-related information being related to data to be provided,
the data provision location providing method including the steps of
reading a data storage location of data-related information of an
external network apparatus from an external data storage location
management part of the network apparatus managing the data storage
location; and providing, outside the network apparatus, a data
storage location of the data-related information of the network
apparatus and the data storage location of the data-related
information of the external network apparatus.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a computer-readable recording medium on which is
recorded a program for causing a computer having a processor, a
storage unit, and a communications unit to execute processing
according to a data provision location providing method of a
network apparatus providing data-related information outside the
network apparatus in accordance with a format of structured
description, the data-related information being related to data to
be provided, the program causing the computer to execute the steps
of causing the processor to read a data storage location of
data-related information of an external network apparatus from an
external data storage location management part of the network
apparatus managing the data storage location; and providing,
outside the network apparatus, a data storage location of the
data-related information of the network apparatus and the data
storage location of the data-related information of the external
network apparatus, using the communications unit.
[0014] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is
possible to provide a network apparatus capable of accurately and
easily providing the data storage location of information related
to data provided by the network apparatus and other network
apparatuses, a data provision location providing method of the
network apparatus, and a recording medium storing a program for
causing a computer to execute the data provision location providing
method of the network apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system including a
network apparatus and a terminal unit according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration
of a multi-function machine according to the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a Web
UI according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing a Web page that a Web
screen provision part provides to a Web browser operated by a user
according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 5A through 5C are diagrams showing a transition of
screens illustrating an operation in the case of entering RSS feeds
in an RSS reader using RSS auto-discovery according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of HTML source
code in the case of making a description for implementing RSS
auto-discovery in a Web page provided by the Web screen provision
part according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a Web page that displays
a list of RSS feeds provided by the multi-function machine and
serves to cause an OPML file into which the RSS feeds are put
together to be downloaded according to the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an OPML file provided by an OPML
file provision part according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine according to a
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine according to a
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing on obtained RSS
feeds according to the second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine according to a
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIGS. 18A and 18B show example RSS sources obtained from
other multi-function machines according to the third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 19 shows an OPML source containing RSS feeds provided
by the multi-function machine and RSS feeds that are the URLs of
RSS sources, obtained from the other multi-function machines
according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 22 shows an RSS source into which RSS sources obtained
from other multi-function machines and RSS sources provided by the
multi-function machine are merged according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a subnet where
multi-function machines are provided according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 24 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of searching for other multi-function machines
on a network according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation
of searching for other multi-function machines according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation
of searching for other multi-function machines according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 27 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of searching for other multi-function machines
on a network according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0043] FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation
of searching for other multi-function machines according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] A description is given below, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, of embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] In the following embodiments, a description is given of
cases where there are multiple multi-function machines capable of
providing apparatus management information through RSS feeds and a
user enters the URLs of the RSS feeds provided by each
multi-function machine in an RSS reader that the user uses. That
is, in the following embodiments, a description is given of the
technique of making it easy to enter the URLs of the RSS feeds
provided by each multi-function machine in the RSS reader. The
multi-function machine is an example of the network apparatus.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system including a
network apparatus and a terminal unit according to one embodiment
of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the system includes
a multi-function machine or multi-function peripheral (MFP) 10 and
one or more terminal units (PC) 107, which are connected via a
predetermined network 106 such as a LAN.
[0047] The multi-function machine 10 includes a processor 101, a
work memory 102, a storage unit 103 such as a flash ROM, hardware
104 specific to the multi-function machine 10 (hereinafter referred
to as "machine-specific hardware 104"), and an input/output circuit
105.
[0048] The processor 101 controls the multi-function machine 10.
The processor 101, in combination with the machine-specific
hardware 104, implements functions specific to the multi-function
machine 10. Further, the processor 101 is also used to implement a
Web server function in the multi-function machine 10.
[0049] The work memory 102 is used as a temporary storage area for
executing software or for operations accompanying the software
execution. The storage unit 103, which is an electrically
rewritable storage medium such as a flash ROM, contains software
items such as a control program for implementing the functions of
the multi-function machine 10 and a program according to the
present invention. The input/output circuit 105 is used to
establish connection to the network 106. The machine-specific
hardware 104 is hardware specific to the multi-function machine
10.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, the two terminal units 107 are
connected to the multi-function machine 10 via the network 106. The
terminal units 107 are operated by users, and transmit various
instructions from the users to the multi-function machine 10.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration
of the multi-function machine 10 according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the multi-function machine 10 includes
software 20 and hardware 21.
[0053] The software 20 includes a user interface (UI) layer, an
application layer, and a service layer. The user interface layer
provides a user with user interfaces. The application layer
implements each application function. The service layer controls
the hardware 21 and provides applications with their respective
functions.
[0054] The user interface layer includes an apparatus UI 201 and a
Web UI 202. The apparatus UI 201 provides a user interface on the
operations panel of the multi-function machine 10. The Web UI 202
provides a user interface for a user of the multi-function machine
10 to operate the multi-function machine 10 from the terminal units
107 using a Web browser.
[0055] The application layer includes a copy application 211, a
facsimile (FAX) application 212, a printer application 213, and a
scanner application 214. The copy application 211 implements a copy
function. The FAX application 212 implements a facsimile function.
The printer application 213 implements a printer function. The
scanner application 214 implements a scanner function.
[0056] The service layer includes a printing service 221, a reading
service 222, a network service 223, and a memory service 224. The
printing service 221 controls a plotter included in the hardware
21. The reading service 222 controls a document reader included in
the hardware 21. The network service 223 controls the input/output
circuit 105 (FIG. 1). The memory service 224 manages the work
memory 102 (FIG. 1).
[0057] For example, in the case of a user making a copy of original
material such as a document using the operations panel of the
multi-function machine 10, first, the apparatus UI 201 receives an
instruction from the user. Then, the apparatus UI 201 gives
instructions on the contents of a copy operation to the copy
application 211. The copy application 211 instructs the reading
service 222 and the printing service 221 to read and print the
document in accordance with the instructions on the copy operation
from the apparatus UI 201. Thus, the user can obtain a copy output
result of the document.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the Web
UI 202 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the Web
UI 202 includes a Web screen provision part 301, an RSS feed
provision part 302, an OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language)
file provision part 303, an external RSS feed obtaining part 304,
an external RSS feed management part 305, and an external OPML file
obtaining part 306.
[0059] The Web screen provision part 301 receives a request from a
Web browser operating on the terminal unit (PC) 107 operated by a
user through the network service 233. The Web screen provision part
301 has the function of transmitting a Web page containing
apparatus management information to the PC 107 and provides the
user with the Web page based on the received request.
[0060] Here, the apparatus management information refers to various
information items such as apparatus status, energy saving status,
error occurrence status, residual toner amount, paper feed tray
status, and job history information. These various apparatus
management information items may be provided on a single Web page.
Usually, however, these information items are often provided on
separate Web pages according to their types. For example, the
apparatus status, energy saving status, and error occurrence status
may be displayed on a Web page that shows general apparatus status
as a top page, while a printer job history may be displayed on
another Web page displaying job history information.
[0061] The RSS feed provision part 302 receives a request from an
RSS reader operating on the PC 107 operated by the user through the
network service 223. The RSS feed provision part 302 has the
function of transmitting an RSS feed containing apparatus
management information to the PC 107 and provides the user with the
RSS feed based on the received request.
[0062] Specifically, the information written (contained) in the RSS
feed includes the outline of the apparatus management information
and information on the link to a Web page where the details of the
apparatus management information can be viewed. The information
usually displayed by the RSS reader used by the user is the outline
of the apparatus management information. If the user wishes to view
the details of the apparatus management information, the user
follows the link to the Web page where the details of the apparatus
management information displayed by the RSS reader can be viewed,
and causes the Web page provided by the Web screen provision part
301 to be displayed using a Web browser or a Web browser function
built in the RSS reader, so that the user can view the details of
the apparatus management information.
[0063] All of the various information items provided as the RSS
feed may be provided in a single RSS feed the same as the
above-described pages. However, it is difficult for a user to
handle an RSS feed containing different types of information.
Further, usually, the RSS reader has the function of displaying the
contents of multiple RSS feeds in a remixed manner. Accordingly, it
is preferable to provide information items as separate RSS feeds
according to their types so that the user can use them in a manner
as required.
[0064] Further, the OPML file provision part 303 has the function
of providing, through the network service 223, an OPML file where
all the RSS feeds provided by the RSS feed provision part 302 are
put together in a list, or as a unit. Here, the URL that provides
the OPML file is referred to as an "OPML feed," and the contents of
the OPML file are referred to as an "OPML source."
[0065] The external RSS feed obtaining part 304 has the function of
obtaining RSS feeds containing apparatus management information
from other multi-function machines (not graphically illustrated) on
the network 106 through the network service 223.
[0066] The external RSS feed management part 305 has the function
of retaining the RSS feeds obtained by the external RSS obtaining
part 304 and providing the RSS feed provision part 302 with the RSS
feeds.
[0067] Further, the external OPML obtaining part 306 has the
function of obtaining, from each of other multi-function machines
(not graphically illustrated) on the network 106 through the
network service 223, an OPML file where all of the RSS feeds
provided by the corresponding multi-function machine are put
together in a list. The external OPML obtaining part 306 also has
the function of providing the external RSS feed obtaining part 304
with the information on the RSS feeds written (contained) in the
OPML file.
[0068] FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing a Web page that the Web
screen provision part 301 provides to a Web browser operated by a
user. It is assumed that the multi-function machine 10 provides
three types of RSS feeds--apparatus status (including energy saving
status and error occurrence status), residual toner amount
(including waste toner bottle status), and paper feed tray
status--as apparatus management information.
[0069] Of several types of Web pages provided by the multi-function
machine 10, FIG. 4 shows one called "top page." Usually, the Web
page of FIG. 4 can be displayed by entering the IP address of the
multi-function machine 10 in an address bar 400 of the Web
browser.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, apparatus management information items
such as apparatus name, installation location, comment, host name,
status, residual toner amount, waste toner bottle status, and paper
feed tray status are displayed on the Web page. That is, the Web
page of FIG. 4 provides the user with these apparatus management
information items.
[0071] RSS writes a summary of the information provided by a Web
site or Web page in a structured manner. For example, the RSS feeds
corresponding to the Web page of FIG. 4, that is, the contents of a
summary of information to be provided, are apparatus status,
residual toner amount, and paper feed tray status.
[0072] Accordingly, in the case of having the Web page of FIG. 4
displayed by the Web browser, it is desirable to notify the user
that the RSS feeds of apparatus status, residual toner amount, and
paper feed tray status correspond to the Web page of FIG. 4.
[0073] Common Web browsers have the function of notifying a user of
the presence of an RSS feed upon displaying a Web page if
information on the RSS feed has been written in a predetermined
format in the Web page. This mechanism is referred to as "RSS
auto-discovery."
[0074] In the case of FIG. 4, since the Web page containing RSS
feed information is displayed, an icon 401 indicating the presence
of an RSS feed is displayed in the address bar 400 of the Web
browser. When the icon 401 is clicked, the RSS feed information is
displayed on the Web browser. Accordingly, it is possible to have a
user perform operations such as entering the RSS feed information
in the RSS reader.
[0075] Therefore, on the Web page of FIG. 4, the user is notified
of the presence of the three RSS feeds of apparatus status,
residual toner amount, and paper feed tray status using such a
function for notifying a user of the presence of an RSS feed.
[0076] FIGS. 5A through 5C are diagrams showing a transition of
screens illustrating an operation in the case of entering RSS feeds
in the RSS reader using RSS auto-discovery. When a user clicks an
RSS icon 502 displayed in an address bar 501, three types of RSS
feeds 503 of apparatus status, residual toner amount, and paper
feed tray status are displayed on the Web page as shown in FIG.
5A.
[0077] When the user clicks "RESIDUAL TONER AMOUNT" among the RSS
feeds 503, a confirmation screen of addition of a live bookmark as
shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. The user may change the name of the
live bookmark or the destination in which the live bookmark is to
be created using the confirmation screen of addition as
required.
[0078] When the user clicks an OK button 504 on the confirmation
screen of addition of the live bookmark as shown in FIG. 5B, the
RSS feed of residual toner amount is entered and displayed in the
toolbar. FIG. 5C shows the Web page where the user has clicked the
RSS feed entered and displayed in the toolbar. When the user clicks
the RSS feed of residual toner amount entered and displayed in the
toolbar, information 505 (the residual amount of each toner and the
status of a waste toner bottle) provided by the RSS feed of
residual toner amount is displayed on the Web page.
[0079] In the case of FIG. 5C, the user can view or check the
information 505 (the residual amount of each toner and the status
of a waste toner bottle) provided by the RSS feed of residual toner
amount on the Web page.
[0080] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of HTML source
code in the case of making a description for implementing RSS
auto-discovery in a Web page provided by the Web screen provision
part 301. FIG. 6 shows the HTML source code of the top page
described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0081] As described above, the three types of RSS feeds--apparatus
status, residual toner amount, and paper feed tray status--are
provided on the top page. Of the HTML source code of FIG. 6, an
underlined part 600 serves as a description for RSS auto-recovery
of the three types of RSS feeds.
[0082] The Web page can support RSS auto-discovery by specifying
"alternate" and "application/rss+xml" as the rel attribute and the
type attribute, respectively, of a link element and specifying the
title and URL of an RSS feed as the title attribute and the href
attribute, respectively, of the link element.
[0083] FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a Web page that displays
a list of RSS feeds provided by the multi-function machine 10 and
serves to cause an OPML file into which the RSS feeds are put
together to be downloaded.
[0084] The Web page of FIG. 7 shows a list of all the RSS feeds
provided by the RSS feed provision part 302 (FIG. 3). The Web page
of FIG. 7 is provided for also notifying a user who is unaware of
an icon 700 indicating RSS auto-discovery or a user who uses a Web
browser that does not support RSS auto-discovery of the RSS feeds
provided by the multi-function machine 10.
[0085] Icons 701 through 704 show and serve as links to the
corresponding RSS feeds. Each of the icons 701 through 704 is
clicked to display XML data (RSS source), which are the contents of
the corresponding RSS feed, on the Web browser. A user can enter
the RSS feed by copying a URL displayed in an address bar 706 and
pasting it into the RSS reader. Accordingly, a user can select
necessary RSS feeds and enter them in the RSS reader one by
one.
[0086] Further, an icon 705 that indicates a link to the URL of an
OPML file (OPML feed) for collectively entering the RSS feeds in
the RSS reader is displayed on the Web page of FIG. 7. The icon 705
is clicked to display XML data (OPML source), which are the
contents of the OPML file, on the Web browser. A user can enter all
the RSS feeds written (contained) in the OPML file in the RSS
reader at a time by copying a URL displayed in the address bar 706
and pasting it into the RSS reader or by temporarily storing the
URL in a file and causing the RSS reader to read the URL.
[0087] A user is also notified of the presence of each RSS feed
through RSS auto-discovery on the Web page of FIG. 7. Unlike in the
case of the top page, a user is notified of the presence of each of
the RSS feeds of apparatus status, residual toner amount, paper
feed tray status, and communications history on the Web page of
FIG. 7.
[0088] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an OPML file provided by the
OPML file provision part 303. The RSS feed provision part 302
provides four types of RSS feeds--apparatus status, residual toner
amount, paper feed tray status, and communications history--as
apparatus management information. Therefore, information on these
four RSS feeds is written or embedded in the OPML file.
[0089] Information items written in the OPML file include a name
801 of the multi-function machine 10 that provides the OPML file,
the name 802 of the multi-function machine 10 that is a provider of
the RSS feeds, and information 803 on each RSS feed. The names 801
and 802 are the same in the OPML file of FIG. 8, but may be
different.
[0090] The RSS feed information 803 includes the names, URLs, and
distributor URLs of the RSS feeds. Here, as the distributor URL of
each RSS feed, the URL of a Web page where the details of
information provided by the RSS feed can be viewed is written. That
is, the URL of the top page is written as the distributor URL of
each of the RSS feeds of apparatus status, residual toner amount,
and paper feed tray status, and the URL of a Web page of
communications history is written as the distributor URL of the RSS
feed of communications history.
First Embodiment
[0091] FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine 10 according to
a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0092] FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the operation of the
multi-function machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0093] In response to an OPML file obtaining request made by an
operation, in step S1 of FIG. 10, the multi-function machine 10
determines a connection destination based on pre-registered
information (such as IP addresses or URLs).
[0094] In step S2, the multi-function machine 10 obtains
information from the determined connection destination (in this
case, each of other [or external] multi-function machines 10a and
10b). Usually, the access is made according to HTTP. In the case of
a URL providing a service, there is a response in OPML data. If the
multi-function machine 10 succeeds in obtaining a response in OPML
data (YES in step S3), the multi-function machine 10 retains the
OPML data in the external OPML file obtaining part 306 and then
proceeds to step S4.
[0095] In step S4, the multi-function machine 10 determines a URL
that is providing an RSS feed, or determines the RSS feed, based on
the OPML data. The multi-function machine 10 retains the determined
RSS feed in the external RSS feed management part 305.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 11, in step S11, the multi-function
machine 10 determines whether there is a connection request from
the PC 107 operated by a user. If there is a connection request
from the PC107 operated by a user (YES in step S11), in step S12,
the multi-function machine 10 provides the PC 107 with the RSS
feeds of the other network apparatuses 10a and 10b the same as the
RSS feeds of the multi-function machine 10. The RSS feeds are
provided to the PC 107 using, for example, the above-described Web
page of FIG. 4 or FIG. 7.
[0097] The RSS feeds may not be provided in OPML data, but may be
written as RSS auto-discovery in a Web page. In this case, the
external OPML file obtaining part 306 has the function of analyzing
the HTML data of the Web page and retaining the RSS feed
information.
[0098] The PC 107 that has obtained the RSS feeds can obtain RSS
sources from the RSS feeds of the multi-function machines 10, 10a,
and 10b. The above-described OPML file obtaining request may be
made not only by an operation but also by periodic polling or in
response to reception of a request to obtain an RSS feed. Further,
the pre-registered information may be multiple information
items.
Second Embodiment
[0099] FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine 10 according to
a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0100] FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the operation of the
multi-function machine 10 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0101] In response to an RSS feed setting request from the
operations panel, in step S21 of FIG. 13, the multi-function
machine 10 sets RSS feeds based on the RSS feed setting request.
When the RSS feeds have been successfully set (YES in step S22), in
step S23, the multi-function machine 10 retains the set RSS feeds
in the external RSS feed management part 305.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 14, in step S31, the multi-function
machine 10 determines whether there is a connection request from
the PC 107 operated by a user. If there is a connection request
from the PC107 operated by a user (YES in step S31), in step S32,
the multi-function machine 10 provides the PC 107 with the RSS
feeds of the other network apparatuses 10a and 10b the same as the
RSS feeds of the multi-function machine 10. The RSS feeds are
provided to the PC 107 using, for example, the above-described Web
page of FIG. 4 or FIG. 7.
[0103] The multi-function machine 10 can set RSS feeds not only
through the operations panel but also using a Web browser, for
example. The PC 107 that has obtained the RSS feeds can obtain RSS
sources from the RSS feeds of the multi-function machines 10, 10a,
and 10b.
[0104] In response to a request from the PC 107 for obtained RSS
feeds, the multi-function machine 10 may transmit the RSS feeds
after performing processing shown in FIG. 15 on the RSS feeds. FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing processing on obtained RSS feeds.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 15, in step S41, the multi-function
machine 10 determines whether there is a connection request from
the PC 107 operated by a user. If there is a connection request
from the PC107 operated by a user (YES in step S41), in step S42,
the multi-function machine 10 performs predetermined processing on
RSS feeds. Examples of the processing on RSS feeds include deletion
of a redundant RSS feed (item), rearrangement of items according to
update time, rearrangement of items according to access frequency,
and reduction of the number of items to a specified number.
[0106] The processing on RSS feeds may be specified from the PC 107
(user) side. For example, the PC 107 may specify the processing on
RSS feeds as a parameter of httpGET as
http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/comLogTx/rss.rdf?data=new.
[0107] Then, the multi-function machine 10 proceeds to step S43,
and can provide the PC 107 with the processed RSS feeds. The RSS
feeds are provided to the PC 107 using, for example, the
above-described Web page of FIG. 4 or FIG. 7. The processing shown
in FIG. 15 may also be performed on the RSS feeds of the first
embodiment.
Third Embodiment
[0108] FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine 10 according to
a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0109] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine 10 according to the third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0110] FIG. 16 schematically shows an operation in the case of
obtaining the RSS sources provided by the other multi-function
machines 10a and 10b and providing the URLs of the obtained RSS
sources, that is, the RSS feeds, to, for example, the PC 107
(user). FIG. 17 shows the operation in a flowchart.
[0111] First, in step S51 of FIG. 17, the multi-function machine 10
determines the URLs of where to obtain information, that is, the
other multi-function machines 10a and 10b on the network 106. The
determination may be made in the same manner as described above
with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0112] Next, in step S52, the multi-function machine 10 accesses
the URLs of the multi-function machines 10a and 10b, and obtains
the RSS feeds provided by the multi-function machines 10a and 10b.
Then, if the multi-function machine 10 succeeds in obtaining the
RSS feeds in step S53, the multi-function machine 10 proceeds to
step S54.
[0113] In step S54, the multi-function machine 10 accesses the URLs
shown by the RSS feeds to obtain RSS sources. Then, in step S55,
the multi-function machine 10 directly stores the RSS sources
obtained in step S54 without processing them.
[0114] In response to the PC 107 (user)'s access to the
multi-function machine 10, the multi-function machine 10 provides
the PC 107 with the URLs of the RSS sources, that is, the RSS
feeds, of the multi-function machine 10 and the RSS feeds for the
RSS sources obtained from the other multi-function machines and
stored.
[0115] The PC 107 accesses the provided RSS feeds and obtains the
RSS sources, thereby accessing the information of the
multi-function machines 10, 10a, and 10b. In this case, the
obtained RSS sources are not those provided by the other
multi-function machine 10a or 10b but those contained in the
multi-function machine 10.
[0116] FIG. 18A shows example RSS sources obtained from the other
multi-function machine 10a and stored in the multi-function machine
10. FIG. 18B shows example RSS sources obtained from the other
multi-function machine 10b and stored in the multi-function machine
10.
[0117] FIG. 19 shows an OPML source containing RSS feeds 810
provided by the multi-function machine 10 and RSS feeds 810a and
810b that are the URLs of the RSS sources obtained from the other
multi-function machines 10a and 10b, respectively. The RSS sources
810a and 810b obtained from the other multi-function machines 10a
and 10b are directly stored without processing, and are provided on
an apparatus basis without processing in the case of being provided
in the OPML source.
Fourth Embodiment
[0118] FIG. 20 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of the multi-function machine 10 according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0119] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the
multi-function machine 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0120] FIG. 20 schematically shows an operation in the case of
obtaining the RSS sources provided by the other multi-function
machines 10a and 10b and providing the URLs of the obtained RSS
sources, that is, the RSS feeds, to, for example, the PC 107 (user)
FIG. 21 shows the operation in a flowchart.
[0121] The difference between FIG. 16 and FIG. 20 lies in that
while the obtained RSS sources are directly stored in FIG. 16,
information on the obtained RSS sources and information on the RSS
sources provided by the multi-function machine 10 are merged, but
otherwise FIGS. 16 and 17 are the same. That is, the flowchart of
FIG. 21 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 17 in additionally
including the processing of step S65. FIG. 22 shows an RSS source
into which RSS sources 910a and 910b obtained from the other
multi-function machines 10a and 10b, respectively, and RSS sources
910 provided by the multi-function machine 10 are merged.
[0122] [Method of Searching for Other Multi-function Machines on
Network]
[0123] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a subnet where
multi-function machines are provided according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0124] FIG. 24 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of searching for other multi-function machines
on the network.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 23, the multi-function machine 10 and the
other multi-function machines 10a and 10b are provided on the same
subnet.
[0126] Further, the multi-function machine 10 shown in FIG. 24
includes an SNMP manager 2401 and an MIB (Management Information
Base) 2402. The other multi-function machine 10a includes an SNMP
agent 2403 and an MIB 2404.
[0127] The SNMP manager 2401 obtains information by way of SNMP.
The SNMP manager 2401 receives a response (GetResponse) from the
other multi-function machine 10a having the SNMP agent 2403, and
obtains information as to whether the RSS feed is available from
the response, referring to information definitions in the MIB
2402.
[0128] The SNMP agent 2403 provides information by way of SNMP. The
SNMP agent 2403 receives a request (GetRequest) from the SNMP
manager 2401, and provides the SNMP manager 2401 with information
as to whether the RSS feed is available, referring to information
definitions in the MIB 2404.
[0129] The MIBs 2402 and 2404 define and manage information
exchangeable between the SNMP manager 2401 and the SNMP agent
2403.
[0130] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation
of searching for other multi-function machines.
[0131] Referring to FIG. 25, in step S71, the multi-function
machine 10 determines, through broadcasting, where to obtain RSS
feed information on the subnet on which the multi-function machine
10 is provided. When the multi-function machine 10 determines where
to obtain RSS feed information (such as the multi-function machine
10a), in step S72, the SNMP manager 2401 of the multi-function
machine 10 accesses the other multi-function machine 10a provided
on the same subnet according to SNMP, and obtains MIB information.
On condition that the accessed multi-function machine 10a has the
SNMP agent 2403 and the MIB 2404 defining information on the RSS
feed availability, the access succeeds.
[0132] If the access succeeds (YES in step S73), in step S74, the
SNMP manager 2401 of the multi-function machine 10 obtains the
information on the RSS feed availability from the accessed
multi-function machine 10a.
[0133] If the information on the RSS feed availability obtained
from the multi-function machine 10a indicates that the RSS feed is
available (YES in step S75), in step S76, the SNMP manager 2401 of
the multi-function machine 10 obtains the RSS feed information from
the multi-function machine 10a in the above-described information
obtaining/processing manner. If the access according to SNMP fails
(NO in step S73) or the obtained RSS feed availability information
indicates that the RSS feed is not available (NO in step S75), the
operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25 ends.
[0134] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation
of searching for other multi-function machines.
[0135] Referring to FIG. 26, in step S81, the multi-function
machine 10 determines one of all the other multi-function machines
including the multi-function machines 10a and 10b provided on the
same subnet as a multi-function machine from which to obtain RSS
feed information. In step S82, the multi-function machine 10
accesses a URL such as
http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/client1/comLogTx/rss.rdf according to HTTP
with respect to the determined multi-function machine (for example,
the multi-function machine 10a) from which to obtain RSS feed
information. In this URL, "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" is the IP address of
the access destination. Further, "client1/comLogTx/rss.rdf" is
information (RSS feed) pre-registered by an operation.
[0136] On condition that there is an HTTP page containing the RSS
feed information at the URL of the accessed multi-function machine
10a, the access succeeds. If the access succeeds (YES in step S83),
in step S84, the SNMP manager 2401 of the multi-function machine 10
obtains the RSS feed information from the multi-function machine
10a in the above-described information obtaining/processing manner,
and then proceeds to step S85. If the access fails in step S83, the
SNMP manager 2401 also proceeds to step S85.
[0137] In step S85, the multi-function machine 10 ends the
operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26 if all the other
multi-function machines provided on the same subnet have been
accessed. On the other hand, if all the other multi-function
machines provided on the same subnet have not been accessed (NO in
step S85), the multi-function machine 10 returns to step S81. That
is, the multi-function machine 10 accesses a URL as described above
according to HTTP with respect to each of all the other
multi-function machines provided on the same subnet. Further, the
multi-function machine 10 may use the OPML feed as the
above-described pre-registered information.
[0138] FIG. 27 is a system configuration diagram schematically
showing an operation of searching for other multi-function machines
on the network according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0139] FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation
of searching for other multi-function machines.
[0140] Referring to FIG. 27, the PC107, the multi-function machine
10, and the other multi-function machines 10a and 10b are provided
on the same subnet. Further, other multi-function machines 10c
through 10e are provided on another subnet.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 28, in step S91, the multi-function
machine 10 determines the other multi-function machine 10c as a
connection destination based on information (IP address)
pre-registered through an operation. In step S92, the
multi-function machine 10 makes an information obtaining request to
the determined multi-function machine 10c. Usually, the access is
made according to HTTP.
[0142] In response to the information obtaining request, the
multi-function machine 10c, which is a connection destination,
obtains information from the other multi-function machines 10d and
10e on the same subnet using the above-described search method
shown in FIG. 25 or FIG. 26. Further, the multi-function machine
10c obtains RSS feed information from the multi-function machines
10d and 10e in the above-described information obtaining/processing
manner, and provides the requestor multi-function machine 10 with
the obtained RSS feed information.
[0143] If the registered IP address is that of a multi-function
machine on a different subnet, multiple subnets can be searched
beyond the limitations of the search methods shown in FIGS. 25 and
26. If the registered IP address is that of a multi-function
machine in the same subnet, redundant information should be
processed by the above-described information collection method. If
the access succeeds (YES in step S93), in step S94, the
multi-function machine 10 obtains information on the RSS feed
availability information from the accessed multi-function machine
10c. If the access fails (NO in step S93), the operation shown in
the flowchart of FIG. 28 ends.
[0144] Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, in
the case of managing the multiple multi-function machines 10, 10a,
and 10b with an RSS reader, it is possible to enter or register all
the RSS feeds provided by all the multi-function machines 10, 10a,
and 10b to be managed in the RSS reader with ease if the IP address
of at least one of the multi-function machines 10, 10a, and 10b
(for example, the multi-function machine 10) is known. (The single
multi-function machines 10 may provide multiple RSS feeds.)
[0145] Accordingly, a user can enter or register the RSS feeds of
multiple apparatus management information items provided by the
multiple multi-function machines 10, 10a, and 10b in the RSS reader
with ease. Further, it is also possible to manage the multiple
multi-function machines 10, 10a, and 10b only with the RSS reader
without using special client software.
[0146] The Web server function of the multi-function machine 10 has
the function of prompting a user viewing the information of the
multi-function machine 10 using a Web browser to enter RSS feeds of
apparatus management information in the RSS reader.
[0147] Further, the multi-function machine 10 provides the function
of providing its multiple RSS feeds in a list of OPML format,
thereby facilitating their collective (or batch, as a unit) entry
into the RSS reader.
[0148] Further, the multi-function machine 10 has the function of
capturing information on RSS feeds provided by other multi-function
machines on the network (for example, the multi-function machine
10a), which provide apparatus management information through the
RSS feeds, and providing the captured information (URLs or contents
of the RSS feeds) together with the RSS feeds provided by the
multi-function machine 10 itself.
[0149] Thus, it is possible to make it easy for a user to find RSS
feeds provided by one or more multi-function machines and to enter
the RSS feeds in the RSS reader.
[0150] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a network apparatus providing data-related information
outside the network apparatus in accordance with a format of
structured description, the data-related information being related
to data to be provided, the network apparatus including an external
data storage location management part configured to manage the data
storage location of data-related information of an external network
apparatus; and a data storage location provision part configured to
provide, outside the network apparatus, the data storage location
of the data-related information of the network apparatus and the
data storage location of the data-related information of the
external network apparatus.
[0151] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a data provision location providing method of a network
apparatus providing data-related information outside the network
apparatus in accordance with a format of structured description,
the data-related information being related to data to be provided,
the data provision location providing method including the steps of
reading the data storage location of data-related information of an
external network apparatus from the external data storage location
management part of the network apparatus managing the data storage
location; and providing, outside the network apparatus, the data
storage location of the data-related information of the network
apparatus and the data storage location of the data-related
information of the external network apparatus.
[0152] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a computer-readable recording medium on which is
recorded a program for causing a computer having a processor, a
storage unit, and a communications unit to execute processing
according to a data provision location providing method of a
network apparatus providing data-related information outside the
network apparatus in accordance with a format of structured
description, the data-related information being related to data to
be provided, the program causing the computer to execute the steps
of causing the processor to read the data storage location of the
data-related information of an external network apparatus from the
external data storage location management part of the network
apparatus managing the data storage location; and providing,
outside the network apparatus, a data storage location of the
data-related information of the network apparatus and the data
storage location of the data-related information of the external
network apparatus, using the communications unit.
[0153] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is
possible to provide a network apparatus capable of accurately and
easily providing the data storage location of information related
to data provided by the network apparatus and other network
apparatuses, a data provision location providing method of the
network apparatus, and a recording medium storing a program for
causing a computer to execute the data provision location providing
method of the network apparatus.
[0154] Further, methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs,
recording media, and data structures to which elements,
expressions, or any combination of elements of the present
invention is applied are also effective as modes of the present
invention.
[0155] The present invention is not limited to the specifically
disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0156] The present application is based on Japanese Priority Patent
Application No. 2006-281739, filed on Oct. 16, 2006, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
* * * * *
References